News/Media

Claudia Byrd Recognized by Corker During Women's History Month For Contributions to Tennessee

Thursday, April 1, 2010

In honor of Women's History Month, U.S. Senator Bob Corker, R-Tenn., is recognizing the contributions of six extraordinary Tennessee women, including Bristol Motor Speedway's Claudia Byrd. March 2010 marks the 30th anniversary of National Women's History Month.

"One of our state's greatest assets is its people, and this month I am proud to recognize six outstanding women from across Tennessee," said Corker. "These women have risen to leadership roles in their respective organizations and dedicated their lives to making a positive difference in their communities, our state, and in many cases, even our country. We thank them for their example and contributions."

Regina Bartlett is chief executive officer of Hendersonville Medical Center and has worked for more than 30 years with Hospital Corporation of America in multiple leadership positions. Bartlett is active with the Sumner County United Way, the Forward Sumner Economic Council, the Hendersonville Rotary Club and is the incoming chairman of the Hendersonville Chamber of Commerce.

Claudia Byrd has spearheaded the Bristol Chapter of Speedway Children's Charities for the past 14 years, raising more than $5 million dollars for needy children in Northeast Tennessee and Southwest Virginia. Byrd, whose husband Jeff is the president and general manager of Bristol Motor Speedway, is a past president of the Children's Advocacy Center of Sullivan County, The Paramount Theatre and the board of directors of the Rotary Club of Kingsport.

Doris "Cousin Tuny" Freeman, famous for entertaining a generation of West Tennesseans on "The Cousin Tuny Show," was the co-emcee of the West Tennessee Cerebral Palsy Telethon from 1964-2007 and has been the co-emcee of the Exchange Club-Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse annual telethon since its inception in 1984. In the past 40 years, she has served on more than 25 local and state boards.

Ruth Sulzberger Holmberg served as publisher of the Chattanooga Times from 1964 to 1992. She was also director of The New York Times Company and, for 30 years, director of The New York Times Foundation. Holmberg also served as president of the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and the Chattanooga Symphony Association.

Deanie Parker is president and chief executive officer of Soulsville, the parent company of the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, and was formerly director of publicity, artists and community relations for Stax Records. Previously Parker was vice president of communications and marketing at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis (The MED) and assistant director of Memphis in May. She currently serves on the boards of the Roc n' Soul Museum, Play It Again Memphis and the Tennessee Arts Commission.

Mintha Roach is president and chief executive officer of the Knoxville Utilities Board where she has held numerous leadership positions since 1992. Previously she was executive director/secretary of the Knoxville Civil Service Merit Board. Roach is on a number of boards in the Knoxville community including Innovation Valley, Leadership Knoxville and Mercy Health System.